Private Lands Forester

Title:                  Private Lands Forester

Supervisor:     Appalachian Director of Conservation Partnerships

Location:          Clarion or Mayfield, PA

Salary:               $59,966 Annually

Position Term: Approx. January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2030; potential for extension based on                              funding availability.

Application Deadline: January 17, 2025

Position Summary:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is seeking to fill two Private Lands Forester positions in Pennsylvania (Clarion and Mayfield) to work effectively with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), private forest landowners, and local partners in Pennsylvania to implement sustainable forest management on private lands following ecologically based silviculture and best management practices for locally occurring priority wildlife species.

The foresters will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of biologists, foresters, soil conservationists, and others working across Pennsylvania to address resource concerns and enhance forests on non-industrial private forestland. This project is being coordinated by Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) staff, who are employees of ABC. Supervision, daily direction, training, and support will be provided by AMJV and USDA NRCS staff. The field foresters and associated activities are supported with funds from NRCS and ABC.

Primary Duties:

Work with AMJV staff, NRCS, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and other partners to:

• Deliver U.S. Farm Bill programs to eligible Pennsylvania landowners.
• Develop, plan, and implement conservation practices designed to improve air quality, water quality, wildlife habitat, and forest health through various Farm Bill programs including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Working Lands For Wildlife (WLFW), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Wetland Reserve Enhancement (ACEP-WRE).
• Conduct landscape and forest stand examinations, compile data such as timber type, forest health, forest vitality, timber measurements, regeneration, wildlife habitat and conditions, insect and disease activity, and other pertinent factors.
• Provide technical assistance during development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of conservation practices for forestry-related activities.
• Work one-on-one with landowners to develop conservation plans that include detailed GIS cover maps showing existing wildlife habitat conditions, proposed habitat improvements and targeted conservation goals, such as soil erosion reduction, water quality improvements and wildlife habitat acres improved.
• Develop informational programs and make presentations that promote the forest health and wildlife habitat programs.
• Prepare regular reports and other correspondence on Farm Bill programs, forest health, wildlife habitat, or other topics as required.
• Assist District Conservationist(s) in development of conservation plans, work plans, outreach, and technical material applicable to non-industrial private forest landowners.
• Establish and maintain contacts for cooperative relations with federal, state and local agencies, and private and non-profit organizations for the purpose of coordinating forestry activities and assistance with the field offices, and field teams.
• Assist the District Conservationist(s) on complex forestland problems at the landscape and parcel level by providing direct assistance and training to NRCS staff, landowners, and interested public.
• Promote forest management following NRCS guidelines and Conservation Practice Standards.
• Participate in prescribed fire implementation, including attending and attaining passing scores on fire trainings, and passing annual pack test.
• Participate in data collection of wildlife biological data in the field as requested.
• Write and submit quarterly and annual reports to AMJV and ABC.

Position Requirements:

• Knowledge of professional forestry management principles, practices, and concepts.
• Experience with SILVAH or similar forest stand analysis modeling software.
• A working knowledge of wildlife, wildlife habitat, ecology, and wildlife conservation practices.
• Knowledge of Farm Bill Programs, particularly EQIP, CSP, RCPP, CREP, CRP, and ACEP-WRE in order to inform landowners about opportunities to enroll.
• Ability to work with and assist landowners in preparing and implementing conservation plans.
• Ability to use computers including GPS/GIS applications to map habitats and land cover, to develop conservation plans and monitor habitat improvements.
• Ability to interact well with the public, particularly private landowners to promote and implement conservation programs.
• Ability to work independently in the field and office with little direct supervision to accomplish defined project goals.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise and well-organized reports and correspondence.
• A valid driver’s license and experience navigating a vehicle on unpaved roads or in off-road conditions.
• Background screening required.
• US work authorization is required for all US opportunities. ABC cannot offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Benefits:

• Excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and employer-matched retirement savings, flexible schedule, etc.
• Paid vacation days (starting at 15 days annually and increasing to 20 days after 1 year of employment), paid holidays (including both US holidays and additional ABC holidays) and sick leave.
• Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home.
• Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.